Sports or Work Accessories Organizing Bag

ABSTRACT

An improved work or sports accessory organizer with storage mechanisms to keep smaller tools, supplies, accessories, etc. neatly contained and easily found when needed yet doubles as a bag once it has been folded up for storage or transport. The apparatus having a material backing, material lining, storage compartments, and the like suspended by a hook that swivels allowing for the organizer to easily orient in a fashion which improves functionality. Additionally, the organizer contains at least one fastening assembly for attaching a glove, tool, or accessory with a similar fastening mechanism such that it is immediately available. The optional strap allows for the organizer to stand alone as an independent containment device or to supplement a larger bag or the like. This allows for both efficient access to supplies, as well as, quick, easy, and efficient cleanup.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/976,635, filed on Apr. 8, 2014 by the present inventors,which is incorporated by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

This application relates to sports or work accessory bags, particularlyto the effective storage and organization of tools, supplies, and thelike.

BACKGROUND—PRIOR ART

The following are listings of prior art that presently appear to berelevant:

U.S. Patents Pat. No. Kind Code Issue Date Patentee 1,684,232A 383/381928 Sep. 11 Levit, Max

The concept of organization is one that has plagued individualsthroughout time. And, as we have progressed through time, time hasbecome synonymous with money. Therefore, it has become more important tomake both work and play efficient.

In the past, people have made the best of the storage means which wereavailable. These may have been baskets shoved into drawers, large orbulky bags, trays with various sized compartments, hard-covered andheavy carrying cases, etc. These methods may have been effective at thetime they were introduced but leave room to be improved upon.

Old ways of accomplishing storage and organization of supplies in bothoccupational and sports settings, have been inconvenient or inefficient.Items would be difficult to locate in a hurry because they would becluttered and disorganized, and they might not be readily available.Carrying needed accessories would be cumbersome and difficult to manage.Despite the many efforts made to make the carrying, storage, andmanaging of accessories more convenient, a need continues to exist toimprove upon previous methods.

Generally speaking, bags designed for sports and work use have pocketswhich are excessively large for the supplies being contained. Thislimits the accessibility of necessary supplies, takes time to find thedesired objects, and is ultimately inefficient. Despite the fact thatthere are several carrying bags utilized for containing and transportingeither sport or work tools, supplies, and the like a need still existsfor a means of effectively storing and transporting these items in amore compact, readily available, and organized manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Briefly stated, the invention provides an organizer for storingaccessory items for sports or work activities having at least one pocketor any combination of pockets and stretch material as a means to containitems such as, but not limited to, tape, small tools, writinginstruments, chalk, or the like, wherein the organizer can be hung froma hook, loop, or the like of either a structure, bar, larger bag, or thelike and rotate or swivel to provide varying orientations such as, butnot limited to, forward facing. The organizer can be folded up frombottom to top at least one time and subsequently fastened closed so asto secure the items within and convert to a portable bag easilytransported from one location to another employing the optional strap orcan be left attached to a larger tote, structure, or the like, forstorage. A dowel along the top of the organizer allows for structuralsupport to prevent sagging and support the weight of the items containedwithin. The organizer contains at least one hook and loop, or otherfastening mechanism, for attaching a glove or other accessory, tool, orthe like which contains a similar fastening mechanism.

ADVANTAGES

Several advantages of one or more aspects of the organizer are that theorganizer contains the items within in a manner making them easilyaccessible wherein the organizer contains pockets more appropriatelysized for smaller items. The organizer also can be used independently asan accessory bag for sport or work activities containing withinnecessary supplies, tools, and the like for readily available access.Or, the organizer can be used as a supplemental addition to larger,bulkier sport or work accessory bags such as, but not limited to, golfbags, baseball bat bags, duffle bags, satchels, or the like. Theorganizer saves time by placing the necessary accessories for sport orwork activities within reach and making necessary tools, supplies,items, and the like readily available. Additionally, the items have aparticular location for storage conserving time when sport or work iscomplete and the process of cleaning up and putting the items,accessories, tools, and the like away for storage or transport ensues.Other advantages of one or more aspects will be gained upon examinationof the drawings and ensuing detailed description of embodiments andappended claims. It is expressly understood that the drawings are forthe purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended asa definition of the limits of the invention.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

Drawings of the organizer are included wherein like designations referto like elements throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the organizer in one embodiment

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the organizer in one embodiment

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the organizer illustrating elements affixedto the material lining in one embodiment

FIG. 4a shows a front view of a pocket illustrating an additionalfastener affixed to the pocket in one embodiment

FIG. 4b shows a rear view of the same pocket illustrating a fasteneraffixed to the pocket for closure to the opposing fastener affixed tomaterial lining in one embodiment

FIG. 5a shows a front view of a second pocket in one embodiment

FIG. 5b shows a rear view of the same pocket illustrating a fasteneraffixed to the pocket for closure to the opposing fastener affixed tothe material lining in one embodiment

FIG. 6a shows a front view of a third pocket illustrating a fasteneraffixed to the pocket for closure with a correlating flap in oneembodiment

FIG. 6b shows a rear view of the same pocket in one embodiment

FIG. 7a shows a front view of a flap providing closure to the pocketillustrated in FIG. 6 in one embodiment

FIG. 7b shows a rear view of the same flap illustrating a fasteneraffixed to the flap for closure to the opposing fastener affixed to thepocket in FIG. 6a in one embodiment

FIG. 8 shows a front view of the dowel in one embodiment

FIG. 9 shows a right view of the dowel in one embodiment

FIG. 10 shows a front view of the folded organizer and illustratedelements in one embodiment

FIG. 11 shows a rear view of the folded organizer and illustratedelements in one embodiment

FIG. 12 shows right view of the folded organizer and illustratedelements in one embodiment

FIG. 13 shows a front view of the optional strap for the organizer andillustrated elements in one embodiment

DRAWINGS - REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 Swivel hook 2 Strap 3 Dowel 4 Fasteningassembly 5 Hook 6 Elastic 7 Material lining 8 Material backing 9Fastening assembly 10 Pocket 11 Fastening assembly 12 Pocket 13Fastening assembly 14 Fastening assembly 15 Pouch 16 Fastening assembly17 Pocket 18 D-ring 19 Flap 20 Optional Strap 21 Hook 22 Adjustmentslide

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Broadly stated, the illustrated embodiment relates to a sports or workaccessory organizer which can be utilized as either a supplemental orindependent unit for organizing, storing, and transporting accessories,tools, supplies, and the like for the activity employed. The embodimentdescribed references elements illustrated in FIGS. 1-13 and in no way isintended to limit the scope of the organizer to this particularembodiment. Alternative embodiments will be contained herein followingthe initial description of the embodiment illustrated.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the organizer is in the configuration of twopieces of elastic 6 affixed by stitching to the cotton-blend materiallining 7 to hold items in place while maintaining flexibility for easyinsertion and removal of tools, supplies, accessories, and the like. Thesegmentation of elastic 6 is created by stitching horizontal lines toaccommodate smaller items to be managed. A swiveling hook 5 is affixedto the material lining 7 by looping a nylon strap 2 through the loop ofthe hook and affixing the strap 2 by stitching to the material lining 7.Two smaller pieces of hook and loop fastening assembly 9 are affixed bystitching them to the material lining 7 to provide closure for twocotton-blend pockets 10 used for the purpose of storage of smallaccessories, tools, supplies, and the like. A larger hook and loopfastening assembly 13 is affixed horizontally by stitching to thematerial lining 7 below the second instance of fastening assembly 9 toprovide closure of a pouch that will be created. A second hook and loopfastening assembly 14 of similar length to fastening assembly 13 isaffixed horizontally by stitching below fastening assembly 13 tomaterial lining 7 to provide closure for a pouch that will be created.The material lining 7 is then folded upwards between hook and loopfastening assemblies 13 and 14 to create pouch 15 (FIG. 1) for storingitems, tools, accessories, and the like. Stitching is added to segmentand affix the pouch 15 to the material lining 7 and create a secondsmaller pocket 17 for storing pens, tools, supplies, and the like (FIG.1).

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, hook and loop fastening assembly 9 is affixedby stitching to the front side of one pocket 10 to provide storage for aglove, tool, accessory, or the like with similar hook and loop fasteningmechanism. A hook and loop fastening assembly 11 is affixed by stitchingto the back side of the same pocket 10 to provide closure to the firsthook and loop fastening assembly 9 affixed to material lining 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, a hook and loop fastening assembly 11 isaffixed by stitching to the back side of the second pocket 10 to provideclosure to the second hook and loop fastening assembly 9 affixed tomaterial lining 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, a hook and loop fastening assembly 9 isaffixed by stitching to the front side of cotton-blend pocket 12 toprovide closure for the flap 19 illustrated in FIG. 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 7B, a hook and loop fastening assembly 11 isaffixed by stitching to the back side of the cotton-blend flap 19 toprovide closure to pocket 12 for the storage of tools, supplies,accessories, and the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first pocket 10 is affixed by stitching tomaterial lining 7 such that the fastening assembly 11 on the pocket 10aligns with the fastening assembly 9 on material lining 7. The secondpocket 10 is affixed by stitching to material lining 7 such that thefastening assembly 11 on the pocket 10 aligns with the fasteningassembly 9 on material lining 7. Pocket 12 is then affixed by stitchingto the material lining 7 such that it is on the right-hand side of theorganizer and neither its top nor bottom are above or below both pockets10 to allow for proper folding of the organizer. The bottom corners ofpocket 12 are pulled slightly inward towards the vertical centerline asthey are affixed to material lining 7 to create pleating and allow forslight expandability of the pocket 12 for storing balls, larger tools,accessories, supplies, and the like. Flap 19 is affixed by stitching tomaterial lining 7 such that fastening assembly 11 aligns with fasteningassembly 9 previously affixed to pocket 12.

Material lining 7 is affixed by stitching to the longer water-resistantcanvas material backing 8 such that there is excess material backing 8left at the top to be folded over to create a loop in which dowel 3 willbe inserted later in the process. Fastening assembly 16 is affixed bystitching at the top of the lower third of the back side of materialbacking 8 to provide one part of the fastening mechanism necessary toprovide closure for the organizer when folded for storage, transport,and the like. D-ring 18 is affixed on the left-hand side of theorganizer above fastening assembly 16 by looping a strap 2 throughD-ring 18. Strap 2 is then affixed by stitching to material backing 8and material lining 7 such that a U-shape is formed with strap 2 wherethe front half of strap 2 is visible from the front of the organizer andthe second half of strap 2 is visible from the back side of theorganizer. D-ring 18 is affixed on the right-hand side of the organizerabove fastening assembly 16 by looping a strap 2 through D-ring 18.Strap 2 is then affixed by stitching to material backing 8 and materiallining 7 such that a U-shape is formed with strap 2 where the front halfof strap 2 is visible from the front of the organizer and the secondhalf of strap 2 is visible from the back side of the organizer.

The excess material backing 8 left at the top is folded over forward anddownward to create a loop housing for dowel 3. A strap 2 is theninserted through the loop on swivel hook 1 and folded over forming aU-shape such that the front half of strap 2 is on the front of theorganizer and the back half of strap 2 is on the back side of theorganizer. Strap 2 with swivel hook 1 is then affixed by stitching tothe organizer. Dowel 3 is inserted into the looped housing created suchthat it is no longer visible. Fastening assembly 4 is then affixed bystitching to the front of the organizer just below dowel 3 such thatfastening assembly 4 is approximately centered horizontally on theorganizer, spans the top end of material backing 8 which has been foldedover and material lining 7 vertically, and aligns with fasteningassembly 16 when folded for storage, transport, or the like. The twoends are stitched closed such that dowel 3 is encased within the loophousing created.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, optional strap 20 is made of material backing8. Material backing 8 is folded lengthwise and stitched such that thefolds create a strap. One end of the strap created is inserted over thecenter bar of adjustment slide 22, then folded over, and affixed bystitching to itself. The opposing end of the created strap is theninserted through the loop of one hook 21 and folded over creating a loopin the strap. The end is then run through adjustment slide 22 again,this time over the center bar making the strap adjustable. The end isthen run through the loop of a second hook 21 folded over and affixed bystitching to itself completing the strap.

In alternative embodiments, swivel hook 1 material can be plastic,metal, or any other material suitable to support the weight of theorganizer when full. In lieu of nylon for element strap 2, material usedcan be any material such as, but not limited to, cotton, webbing,polypropylene, elastic, canvas, or any other material which can beutilized to secure items to the material backing 8 and material lining7. Dowel 3 can be plastic, wood, metal, or any other material sturdyenough to support the weight of the organizer when full. In lieu of hookand loop fastening material, fastening assemblies 4, 9, 11, 13, 14, and16 can be snaps, buttons, zippers, rib and slot slide closures, or anyother closure assembly which adequately fastens and secures the contentsof the organizer with the pockets or enclosures. Hook 5 can be omittedto create room for additional elastic 6, pockets 10, 12, or 17, vacantspace, or any other configuration which could aid the organizer infulfilling its intended purpose of improving organization andconvenience. Likewise, more than one hook 5 can be utilized if necessaryto improve functionality of the organizer. Hook 5 may or may not rotateand can be plastic, metal, or any other material which allows it tocontinue to function as a means of affixing items temporarily to theorganizer such as, but not limited to, hiking clips, loops, elasticbands, folded material, and the like. Elastic 6 can be comprised of anymaterial other such as, but not limited to, cloth, webbing,polypropylene, or the like which serve the intended purpose of theorganizer to provide organization and convenience. The organizer maycontain any number, or none, of elastic 6 in vertical, horizontal,diagonal, or any other orientation, spacing configuration, or size inwidth, length, thickness, or the like, which serves to contain itemssuch that they are easily retrieved when needed. Elastic 6 may besegmented any number of times, or none, such that it serves to contain atool, supply, accessory, or the like in way such that it serves thepurpose of organization and convenience. Segmentation of elastic 6 maybe created by stitching or any other means which allows for thedevelopment of appropriately sized sections of the material. In lieu ofcotton-blend material, material lining 7, can be any material such as,but not limited to, polyester, rayon, nylon, satin, fleece, etc.Material backing 8 can be any shape or size in length, width, thickness,or the like. In lieu of water-resistant canvas, material backing 8 canbe any material such as, but not limited to, vinyl, leather, cotton,cotton-blend, fleece, soft plastic, etc. There may be one or more, ofoutward facing fastening assembly 9 used to affix items such as, but notlimited to, a glove, tool, accessory, or the like that contains asimilar fastening mechanism. Pocket 10 may have varying sizes,quantities, configurations, or be omitted altogether depending on theintended purpose of the organizer. Pocket 12 and accompanying flap 19may have varying sizes, quantities, configurations, or be omittedaltogether depending on the intended purpose of the organizer. In lieuof cotton-blend, the material of pockets 10, 12, and flap 19 can be anymaterial such as, but not limited to, polyester, rayon, nylon, satin,fleece, mesh, etc. Pleat from pocket 12 may be omitted if expandabilityis not deemed necessary for the intended purpose of the organizer. Pouch15 can be any depth or width that is deemed appropriate for the intendedpurpose of the organizer and can contain any number of additionalsegmentations created by stitching, or any other means, to createadditional pockets such as, but not limited to, pocket 17. Hook 21 mayor may not rotate and can be plastic, metal, or any other material whichallows it to continue to function as a means to affix optional strap 20to D-ring 18 of the organizer such as, but not limited to, hiking clips,loops, elastic bands, folded material, and the like. Optional strap 20,as suggested by name, can be omitted if it is deemed not necessary tofulfill the intended purpose of the organizer. D-ring 18 can be plastic,metal, or any other material, loop, hoop, or the like which allows it tocontinue to function as means to affix optional strap 20 or any otherpurpose which serves the functionality of the organizer. Adjustableslide 22 can be plastic, metal, or any other material which allows it tocontinue to function as a means to dynamically differentiate the lengthof the optional strap. Material backing 8 may be omitted if the need forboth material backing 8 and material lining 7 are deemed unnecessary. Inlieu of folding the long and bottom short ends of the material lining 7and material backing 8 during manufacture to secure material lining 7and to create a finished look, a strip of binding may be used to createthe same effect and serve the same, or similar, purpose. Optionally, ahandle of some sort made of nylon strapping, rope, plastic, vinyl,leather, or any other suitable material could be added to aid in theportability and transport of the bag. Any stitching involved in themanufacture of the organizer may be comprised of, but not limited to,thread, string, or any other means of affixing any one item to another.The completed organizer will fold over on itself one or more times inorder to provide a more compact means of transport, storage, or thelike.

Operation

In the illustrated embodiment and beginning with a closed organizerwhich has recently been retrieved from storage, transport, or the like,swivel hook 1 would be used to hang the organizer from a hook, handle,or any other available means. Since swivel hook 1 rotates, the organizercan easily orient forward for convenient access. Fastening assembly 16would be separated from fastening assembly 4 and the organizer would beunfolded revealing convenient access to the items contained within. Keyscould be hung on hook 5 for storage while work or play occurs. Smallitems previously inserted into the segmentations of elastic 6 could beeasily removed and re-inserted as desired. A glove, tool, or accessorycould be removed for use from where it has been affixed to the outwardfacing fastening assembly 9 of pocket 10. Fastening assembly 11 ofpocket 10 could be separated from fastening assembly 9 on the materiallining to remove items contained within or items, tools, or accessoriescould be added for storage. The fastening assembly 11 of the flap 19 canbe separated from the fastening assembly 9 of pocket 12 to retrieve oradd contents. Items could also be removed from or added to pouch 15 byseparating fastening assembly 13 from fastening assembly 14. Itemsstored in pocket 17 could also be easily retrieved. The optional strap20 can be affixed with hook 21 to D-ring 18 on the left-hand side andwrapped around an item, if the size of said item allows, with the secondhook 21 affixing to D-ring 18 on the right-hand side securing the bagfrom movement which might occur with motion, wind, a breeze, or thelike. Once usage of the organizer is complete, the organizer can befolded upward and inward in thirds with fastening assembly 16re-affixing to fastening assembly 4 effectively closing the organizerfor storage, transport, or the like. The optional strap 20 can beaffixed with hook 21 to D-ring 18 on the left-hand side then the secondhook 21 can be affixed to D-ring 18 on the right-hand side creating amechanism for carrying the organizer as a bag over the shoulder fortransport or the like.

1. An organizer for holding work or sports accessory items comprising:a. an elongated piece of water-resistant or waterproof material backingof sufficient length to fold over on itself from bottom to top toprovide closure and protect the items contained within when saidorganizer is either in use, in storage, or in transport; b. an elongatedpiece of material lining affixed to said backing; c. one or more piecesof elastic material containing one or more segmentations affixed to saidlining to provide expandable containment of items; d. one or more hooksaffixed to said lining to hold and store items such as key rings aid thelike when organizer is either in use or in storage; e. one or morepockets of varying size and orientations affixed to said lining toaccommodate accessories and tools of smaller size making the items moreeasily found when needed; f. one or more segments of hook and loopfastener affixed to outward facing pocket of said lining allowing for asport or work glove (i. e. golf glove or batting glove) utilizingsimilar hook and loop type fasteners to be affixed; g. fasteners affixedto said lining and positioned appropriately to securely close organizerwhen folded from bottom to top at least onetime to protect itemscontained within when organizer is in use, in storage, or in transport;h. one or more rings affixed to said backing; i. an optional strap whichcan be affixed to said rings to allow organizer to be used as asupplement to a larger tote bag for sports or work; and j. a dowelinserted within said backing at top of organizer to provide structuralsupport when organize is hanging and to prevent material from saggingfrom weight of items contained within.
 2. The organizer from claim 1comprising: a. a top hook that swivels for forward facing of organizerin various orientations when hanging from a structure such as a table,wall, or drawer, which contains a hook, loop, handle, or the like or onthe side of a bag or cart making it readily available in a work orsports environment.
 3. The organizer from claim 1 comprising: a.allocation of appropriate spacing such that the organizer can be foldedover on itself from bottom to top at least one time and fastened closedcontaining items within for storage, transport, and the like.